Fem van Empel will make his long-awaited 2024 road season debut at Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday as the main contender for Visma-Lease A Bike. 

Van Empel recovered from the great success of Cyclocross, during which she won a second world title and is turning her attention to the classic this spring.

"My preparation was perfect. I had a good training block and I'm excited to see where I am now. It's my first time at Gent-Wevelgem, so I'm a bit nervous, but most of all I'm looking forward to it," van Empel said in a team press release on Thursday.

"I want to be in the right position at the right time. There are a lot of top riders at the start. I want to know where I am in my first race of the year, and I want to be in front until I get deeper into the final.

Van Empel, 21, made his road race debut at Jumbo Visma on 4 May last year and missed most of the Spring classic but competed in the Giro d'Italia, Tour de la Venir, Tour de Romandi and European Championships.

This year, she has been working with the team's sports director, Jan Boven, between cyclocross and on the road.

"Yang and I have an excellent relationship. The cooperation in Cyclocross is really well done. I look forward to working with Yang on the road and learning even more from his expertise," she said. Van Empel will join a strong team that also includes Linda Riedmann, Sophie von Berswordt-Wallrabe, Margaux Vigie, Lieke Nooijen, and Carlijn Achtereekte.

"Last year Fem rode very strongly and showed that she has a lot of talent on the road, so I think she will show herself to Gent-Wevelgem as well

"She will have a free role and will probably go on a discovery tour, but she will also be our leading lady. We are interested in how she will do with her first Belgian cobblestone classic in the strong field."

Learn more about unlimited access to all of our coverage of spring classics, including reporting, breaking news and analysis from Strade Bianche, tours in Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and more.